News Archive

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam to come forward as they investigate a fatal road traffic collision in Wool. Dorset Police was called at 5.35pm on Sunday 5 July 2020 to a report of a collision on the A352 between the Woolbridge Roundabout and Wool train station. The collision involved a black ...

Dorchester has prepared a warm welcome for those returning to the High Street this weekend. Shoppers will enjoy a colourful display of overhead banners throughout South Street, reminding them to observe social distancing and pointing out some of the other places to shop in Dorchester. The risk of Covid-19 is going down and social distancing is ...

The popular Weymouth Beach Race, which was scheduled for October 18th, has unfortunately been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is the statement posted by an official of the event. If you have already entered full refunds will be given. The Weymouth Beach Race has been running since 1984 and has been an integral part of ...

The Prince of Wales School are looking to raise £1,500 to purchase David a trike. Below is a video of David testing out a similar trike. David lives in the Castle Park area of Dorchester and has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) which is a severe type of muscular dystrophy. The school is asking for organisations to help with ...

Weymouth’s proposed new children’s home in Dorchester Road will also have two ‘flatlets’ for emergency use and a centre for supervised visits between children in care and their family. The centre itself will house 4-5 children, most likely teenagers, with other facilities in the converted former registry office building. The new building will be mainly constructed elsewhere ...

On the 4th July 2020, Weymouth’s Town Bridge will be 90 years old. Weymouth Town Bridge was officially opened at 12.30pm on 4th July 1930 during a grand opening ceremony by HRH Duke of York who later became King George VI. The first passage through the twin leaf bascule bridge was undertaken by the Cosens paddle ...

Dorset Police officers and staff have submitted more than 100 bids to a new fund aimed at enabling the Force to develop innovative projects and transform for the future. Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill and Chief Constable James Vaughan set up the one million pound Innovation Fund in spring 2019, using money that had ...

As more businesses look to reopen their doors from 4 July, Dorset Council is working with town and parish councils, and alongside Dorset Police, to ensure the safety of residents and visitors across the county while social distancing measures remain in place. To support the reopening of pubs, cafes and restaurants, the Government has issued guidance ...

Questions continue about whether Dorset Council will eventually have to declare itself ‘bankrupt’ if it doesn’t get more Government funding. Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting heard that two buildings, one in the east, one in the west, are being handed back to landlords and that a property in Purbeck will be used as a hostel for those who ...

Officers investigating a fire in Dorchester that is alleged to have been started deliberately have arrested a man. Dorset Police was called at 4.07am on Monday 29 June 2020 to a report of a fire at a block of flats on Bitter End. The surrounding roads were closed to allow emergency services to deal with the incident ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward following an alleged affray in Weymouth. It is reported that between 4pm and 4.25pm on Friday 26 June 2020 a fight occurred involving two men near to The Wyke Smugglers pub on Portland Road. The victim – a man aged in his 50s – ...

From Wednesday 1 July, Dorset Council’s scheme that allows key workers to park for free in Council-run car parks will be coming to an end. Near the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent lockdown, Dorset Council took the decision to suspend parking charges in its car parks across the county. These charges were reinstated for ...

Free Benefits Surgeries Age UK North, South & West Dorset holds regular surgeries where anyone over 50 can come and ask an expert questions about benefits they may be entitled to. Working in partnership with Dorset Council, these benefit advice sessions are one-to-one surgeries, free and by appointment only.  Due to the current situation, these surgeries will ...

Weldmar Hospicecare is delighted to announce that its Day Services will resume in Dorset on Monday 6th July. The service was suspended in March following the outbreak of Covid-19, but revised arrangements will see a number of patients able to return next week. All Day Services will take place at Trimar House in Weymouth on a Monday ...

Hundreds of children and young vulnerable people have kept active and safe outdoors during Covid 19 lockdown, with the help of services from Dorset Council’s Outdoor Education Service. During the last three months, they have been welcoming small groups to the four centres across the county working with local schools to run activities for children of ...

Officers investigating a fire that was believed to have been started deliberately in Dorchester are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. Dorset Police was called at 4.07am on Monday 29 June 2020 to a report of a fire at a block of flats on Bitter End. The surrounding roads were closed to allow ...

An investigation is underway into the cause of a fire in a block of flats in Dorchester this morning (29 June). Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the five storey building on Bitter End at 4.02am, after multiple reports of a fire in a communal area on the second floor. Fire Control provided ...

West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) have told KeeP 106 that they have sadly decided to cancel this year’s Weymouth Octoberfest beer festival held in Weymouth Pavilion’s Ocean Room in light of the current United Kingdom Covid-19 guidelines and social distancing policy. Organisers, West Dorset CAMRA chairman Dave Harris and Rich Gabe, took the decision ...

Dorset Police No Excuse team have expressed concern over speeding in Dorset. On Wednesday last week they dealt with 33 three offences. Including a female driving a convertible at 101 MPH with a young child in the car. A spokesperson said: “At the beginning of the shift on the A35 dual carriageway we dealt with one motorbike ...

In its latest business newsletter Dorset Council says that much of the hospitality and tourism industry is gearing up to reopen except for those considered close proximity venues such as indoor gyms, swimming pools, spas, nail salons, soft-play areas, bowling alleys and waterparks.  Government have updated their guidance, which you can read below. Read the guidance The government ...

Purbeck Police have released a picture of a car that had all its tyres punctured after an attempt to get into Shell Bay car park after it closed by driving in via the exit. The Studland car park has an exit that has one way spikes to stop drivers entering incorrectly. The officers reported they got straight ...

That is the question that Dorset Council and its partners will be asking children and young people across the county. Their ideas will help shape the new Children, Young People and Families Plan, which aims to make Dorset the best place to be a child. Anyone aged up to 18 can share their ideas by entering ...

Dorset Council’s Environmental Protection Team have received a high number of complaints about flies over the last few weeks. Many people are experiencing lots of flies within their homes. To reduce the numbers, it is important to follow good hygiene practices and take extra precautions to ensure that foodstuffs are not freely available to them or ...

The Hall & Woodhouse DLF Local Writing Prize has announced its long-list, comprising six local authors. “In a world currently dominated by postponements and cancellations, we’re pleased that we’ve been able to keep the prize going,” says Paul Atterbury, who runs the Festival together with Janet Gleeson. “And as always we are grateful to Hall & ...

A body has very sadly been found in the search for a man who went missing in the water in the Purbeck area. At 5.47pm on Sunday 21 June 2020 Dorset Police was called by the ambulance service following a report that a man – aged in his 20s and from London – had gone missing ...

Dorset Council is seeking agreement to look at measures prohibiting or controlling the use of disposable barbecues and other fire-related activities in the area. In recent years, there have been a number of incidents of fire damage across Dorset as a result of disposable barbecues, bonfires close to heathland and dry wooded areas, the release of ...

Staff at Dorset County Hospital want to express their heartfelt thanks to the community after being overwhelmed by donations and messages of support and kindness during the coronavirus pandemic. Since the country entered lockdown, communities have rallied together to show their appreciation for the NHS and to help support staff through what may be the most ...

The Rural Crime team within Dorset Police are asking us to be on the lookout following reports of a suspicious vehicle. A White Mercedes Minibus type vehicle was seen in suspicious circumstances Friday (19 June) in the morning near farm buildings in the Dorchester area. When the vehicle was approached it sped away. There are no ...

At 6.45am on Friday 19 June 2020 Dorset Police received a report of a collision on the A354 at The Beeches near Sixpenny Handley. The collision involved a grey Toyota Yaris and a silver Mitsubishi pick-up. Officers attended, along with the fire and ambulance services. Fire crews assisted with freeing the occupant of the Toyota, a ...

Dorset Highways annual summer road repair programme is getting underway. Two programmes of work are being carried out in the Dorset Council area – premium surface dressing and micro-asphalt – starting on Monday 22 June. These will seal roads against water damage and restore skid resistance on roads that are in an otherwise good condition. Some roads have ...

Dorset Council’s library teams have been keeping adults and children entertained during lockdown with a packed programme of online activities. With libraries closed, reading groups, rhyme times and craft sessions have been improving wellbeing and bringing people together, virtually. Councillor Tony Alford, Customer, Community and Regulatory Services portfolio holder, told KeeP 106: “It’s been a great way ...

New anti-littering signs have been installed by the goat grazing enclosures by Old Hill on Portland. The signs created by Litter Free Dorset, are in response to the 6 goats that died last year. Su and John Illsley from Fancy’s Family Farm on Portland were shocked to find their goats dead, with dog poo bags hanging ...

It’s been over a month since Dorset Council re-opened its household recycling centres (HRCs, or “the tip”) after they were closed in the early stages of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are concerns that HRCs are starting to feel the pressure as restrictions continue to be relaxed and more people arrive to drop ...

A new state-of-the-art CT scanner has been installed at Dorset County Hospital and is the first of its kind across the whole of the south. The scanner is the latest technology available and will greatly improve patient experience as it has the ability to perform scanning in a way that was not previously possible. Wrist and elbow ...

Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset, is asking communities to nominate their unsung local heroes – those who have gone above and beyond and done extraordinary things over the last three months during the coronavirus crisis. Inspired by the number of voluntary initiatives and personal acts of kindness throughout the constituency, Chris is determined to ...

Antibody testing for healthcare staff in Dorset has begun to see if they have had the virus that causes COVID-19. The specialist laboratory at Poole Hospital is providing the antibody tests – which are used to detect antibodies to the COVID-19 virus to see if you have previously had the virus. The testing of healthcare staff ...

Officers searching for teenage diver Oscar Montgomery, who went missing off the coast of Portland, are sad to confirm that a body has been found. Oscar, aged 17, had gone diving in the area of Church Ope Cove on Wednesday 27 May 2020 and was last believed to have been seen at around 5pm that day. Shortly ...

Dorset Police have been following up on reports of antisocial driving at Moreton Ford. It appears that drivers have been entering the ford and doing ‘water donuts’ at high speeds. This appears to be occurring at night. The picture shows some of the marks left on the river bed. This ford is part of the River Frome SSSI ...

Dorchester’s Brewery Square will see the re-opening of non-essential retailers this week, following Government advice that all non-essential stores can open from 15th June 2020. Loco Loves, Stems Florist, Gallery On The Square, Woods Furniture, Vinyl Van, Jacqueline’s Pre-Loved Boutique, Margo and Mya, Copper Street Brewery, Maxgate Properties, Gallery On The Square and Dorset Hideaways are ...

Dorchester’s BID, Chamber for Business and Town Council have teamed up with Dorset Council to assist a safe return to the High Street, as more shops reopen for business on 15th June. The efforts will be supported by a Government fund administered by Dorset Council to support town centres across Dorset. `Team Dorch’ have formed to ...

With worries that cancer patients are often feeling too frightened to go to their GPs and hospitals, a Dorset-based charity is offering extra advice and support for patients undergoing cancer treatment for gynaecological cancers. GO Girls have been offering weekly on-line support with ovarian cancer charity, Ovacome, since the start of the pandemic to all of ...

Just after 2pm today (Saturday 13 June), two pumps from Dorchester fire station and a further appliance from Weymouth Fire Station were mobilised to reports of a property fire in Poundbury, with persons reported. Upon arrival the crews found the occupant was no longer inside but smoke was issuing from the window at a residential property ...

Heroes to Dine on Best Produce Dorset has to Offer at Community Keyworkers Lunch. On Friday 19 June, POUNDBURY based Brace of Butchers is holding a feast to celebrate local community helpers for all their hard work during recent times. From 11:30am invited community groups will enjoy the finest local produce prepared by the region’s best ...

Dorset Council has today (11 June) reached a milestone at having paid out more than £100 million to just over 8000 small businesses in the county. The council was given around £134 million from Government to distribute to businesses from the retail, hospitality and leisure sector in the Dorset Council area, which have been adversely affected ...

Public Health Dorset have issued the following guidance: Single adult households can form ‘support bubbles’ From Saturday (13 June), single adult and single parent households can choose one other household to form a ‘support bubble’. All those in a support bubble will be able to spend time together inside each others’ homes, including overnight, without needing to stay ...

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue say that the new fire which flared up in Wareham Forest on Monday was connected to the previous fire which started three weeks ago. It seems that firefighters have found evidence of deep subterranean burning deep within a tree trunk which made it to the surface and then was ...

Dorset Council’s Climate Change and Ecological Emergency Executive Advisory Panel (EAP) members virtually met last Friday (5 June) to discuss the progress of the Council’s Climate Change strategy and action plan. The panel were reassured that, despite delays due to the pandemic, good progress has been made towards the first draft of the Climate Change strategy and action plan, and ...

During the lockdown, work has been progressing on the Roman Town House in Dorchester. Located next to County Hall, the Town House dates from the later Roman period and is the only house of its kind completely on display to visitors in Britain. With a £248,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this unique attraction is ...

The Dorset Marine Policing Team were called to Weymouth Harbour on Saturday (6 June) and conducted coastal patrol, following reports a male was believed to have fallen into the water on the Quayside. The Ambulance service, Air Ambulance, Coastguard Rescue Team, Harbour Staff and Weymouth and Portland Police all attended the incident. Sadly despite the best efforts ...

Representatives from Dorset Council, Dorset Police, Lulworth Estate and South West Ambulance Trust met this morning (Friday 5 June) to agree a joined up approach in managing visitor numbers to Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door beaches ahead of the weekend. Following the huge numbers of visitors who flocked to this area last weekend, authorities are keen ...

Dorset residents are being asked to highlight congested walking and cycling routes to help shape ‘pop-up’ travel infrastructure in the Dorset Council area. With the increased demand for walking and cycling – as well as capacity issues on public transport – during social distancing measures, a £225m emergency active travel fund has been launched by the ...

Organisations across Dorset are yet again urging people who are visiting Dorset and those that live here to think carefully about where they are going and if it is safe to do so. If it is busy and social distancing can’t be maintained, then people should head home. The events from last weekend at Durdle Door ...

To celebrate the 180th birthday of Dorchester’s greatest literary son the people of the county town have created a video in tribute. Follow the link below to watch the video. Also, the organisers of the Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair have announced that the event will return on Sunday 6th June 2021. The organisers say: “Thomas Hardy himself would ...

Dorset Charity Diverse Abilities’ Advice Team remains open for advice and guidance offering telephone appointments for those who need assistance with disability benefit applications. MP Justin Tomlinson, minister of state at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has stated a significant reduction in the number of benefit applications during this pandemic. His belief is that ...

Have you had a clear-out at home during lockdown? Age UK North, South & West Dorset (NSWD) is open at Rowan Cottage in Dorchester to take your items off your hands. Age UK NSWD is asking for donations of clean undamaged clothing, Bric a Brac, books and DVDs to restock its charity shops in Dorset. The Charity ...

As has been widely reported in the media thousands of visitors descended on Lulworth and Durdle Door in recent days which became all the more prominent with three people sustaining serious injuries by ‘tombstoning’ from the stone arch. On social media there has been some criticism of the local landowner, Lulworth Estate, for opening their car ...

Dorset Council publishes key decisions made during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. A list of decisions made by Dorset Council as part of its COVID-19 emergency response has been published for review. The council’s Resources Scrutiny committee will consider the decisions on Tuesday 2 June. They were made by senior officers and portfolio holders using delegated powers as ...

Force celebrates Volunteers’ Week with a big thank you to its amazing Special Constables and police support volunteers. Monday 1 June 2020 marks the start of Volunteers’ Week and National Specials Weekend. Dorset Police’s 136 police support volunteers cover 42 different roles and have given up over 9,000 hours of their time since April 2019. Our volunteers ...

Jonathan Mair, Dorset Council’s Corporate Director, and Duty Gold Officer said: “Following multiple serious incidents at Durdle Door yesterday involving the emergency services, we have taken the decision to keep the roads to Lulworth and Durdle Door closed today on safety grounds. “We have also just made the decision to close the road to West Bexington in ...

Public urged to avoid the area at Durdle Door in Purbeck. Officers are appealing to the public to stay away from Durdle Door in Purbeck as emergency services are in attendance to deal with a number of casualties. Dorset Police was called at 3.43pm on Saturday 30 May 2020 to a report of concern for the safety ...